Blog Posts From The Brave Programmer

7 Tips on How to write effective blog titles that solicit traffic

Sep7

Written by:2009/09/07 09:37 AM

Blog titles are one of the most important aspects of a blog, but often times are not given the importance that they deserve. One of the biggest factors that affect your position in the Google search engine results page is your blog title. A blog title is also the make or break factor when it comes to enticing a click from a potential reader, and thus potential traffic. Not all of us know or have the skill to write good attractive blog titles. So, lets try and see if we can come up with some good ideas that will help us with or blog titles and increase our traffic.

Don’t underestimate the significance of blog titles. It is the first thing a reader sees when they visit your site and will many times determine if they stay and keep reading or leave. It is also the first thing that Google sees, and often plays an important role as to your eventual rank in a search result. It is also the first thing a user sees when searching and is crucial in coercing them to click and read more.

1.Create a purpose driven title.

The headline will tell the reader what is to come and why they should read. By crafting this up front it will also help keep you focused. Titles, like news paper headlines are meant to draw attention as well as tell the story in one line.

2. Create clear and descriptive titles

It is also important to be descriptive and clear. Direct, descriptive titles aren’t always the most flirty, but they’re very often your best bet for direct search engine traffic. Readers will know exactly, straight off the bat, what your post is all about. For example, if my headline reads, "How to promote your blog," you know exactly what that post will be about.

3. Write Titles for Search Engine Users

When coming up with a title for your blog post, try to imagine how someone doing a search will find your article. What do you think they would type into the search field? Use your own search experience. How do you go about finding information on the likes of Google. Do keyword research for your blog titles. Use effective keywords. Make use of tools such as Google AdWords Keyword Tool to find keyword search volumes to determine the correct words and terms to use for the most effect and best chance of search engine traffic.

4. Use trigger words

There are certain words that elicit people to respond emotionally. There are words that you can use as a writer that will be more likely to get someone to click on a link, to read an article, or to act in some way. Suck is a trigger word. Use them for good, not evil. A blog title like, “Why your blog sucks”, will surely get people emotional, clicking and even commenting. But use it sparingly. Don’t over do it. There are many trigger words to use. Make sure that it fits in with the purpose of the post.

5. Keep blog titles short.

If the title of your blog post is too long, I’m not reading it. Long blog titles dilute important search terms and keywords. They show that you cannot get to the point. Which article would you rather read:

How to write effective blog titles that solicit traffic.

How to write very good blog titles that are effective and will bring you loads of traffic from all the major search engines including Google

6. Be controversial

If you’re trying to draw attention to a certain post or subject, crafting a controversial headline may help you get those heads turning. You will certainly get people that don’t often read your blog, just because you have struck a nerve. A title like - “Linux us the worst Operating system ever”, will draw much attention. However, you have to use it sparingly.

7. Give something back to the reader.

When users are searching Google they are looking for information that will help them. Make sure your titles include terms that show the reader that this post will help them. It will solve their problem, answer a question, etc. Words like How to, tips, personal words like you and your, verbs like solicit, traffic. When readers read your blog title, they should say, “Wow this post was written just for me”.

Do you have some great ideas for effective well written blog titles? Why not share them with us. leave your thoughts in the comments below.

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Great Post Robert - this is indeed an important aspect - I've found too, that if I do a post on animals etc., if I include the scientific names in the title I get a lot of visits from learning institutions and scientific types ...